Lexington, wow. It’s always been one of my favorite shows, whether I am there competing or watching from home. This time I had the privilege of showing Harley in the 14-17 Saddle seat Equitation division, but things for me didn’t go as planned. I was doing some Acro and landed incorrectly. It hurt, but I thought I was totally fine. I mean, I did four lessons and showed in the championship, helping Harley to tackle her first “big girl” pattern, and we did it beautifully. I even did no stirrups. (Ouch.)

Well, it turned out that I was not so fine. I actually destroyed all the ligaments and fractured my tibia in my right knee, so it was off to surgery for me. The surgeon tells my parents that I will be out for the season and recovery could be as long as 6-12 months. Well, I have different plans that’s for sure. I will be working very hard in physical therapy to get back into the saddle as quickly as possible and back to building my strength and endurance.

Alivia prepared to have surgery on her right leg. After all, I’m an equitation rider. We face everything with our chin up and our shoulders back, taking challenges head on with determination and grit. This will be no different, because I believe every challenge has a purpose and my goal is to let this challenge be my guide. Oh, and don’t worry Harley is in the best hands with Scotty at Knollwood Farm. Her training is going strong, and she is developing faster than we could have hoped. Our barn family is loving on her daily and giving her lots of treats, hugs, and face rubs.

I will still be updating my blog with Harley’s progress as promised, and though it might look a little different, she will still be moving forward with Scotty in the saddle.

I also want to take a moment to wish all of you, my friends and my competitors a successful season and blue-ribbon rides. I will miss being in the ring with you, so ride hard and ride like you’ve already won, because just being on your incredible horse competing is a win.

I plan to take this time to reset, refocus and regroup and you can be sure that I will be back next season ready to hit the ring alongside of you all reaching for the same goals and dreams.